‘Female Basil Fawlty’ jailed for attacks on hotel staff

The owner of a hotel in Devon dubbed the ‘female Basil Fawlty’ has been jailed for 22 weeks following a series of attacks on staff working at her property.

Former barrister Shirley Bothroyd was found guilty of vicious acts including throwing a plant pot at one of her barman and punching her manager in the face when he wouldn’t hand over his iPhone.

Newton Abbot Magistrates court also heard how Bothroyd, who once worked with Tony Blair, threw a pint glass of red wine, Guinness and cranberry juice at a policeman.

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She also grabbed her chef by the hair and threw her to the floor.

Bothroyd told the court that she was a recovering alcoholic and could not remember the attacks which took place in June and July this year. The court rejected claims someone has been spiking her drinks with drugs.